Call Of The Wild festival 2022 - Day 3

21/5/2022 Lincoln Showground

Live review by; DeeDee

Holy moley, it’s Saturday already, the days fly past when you’re at a festival all weekend. Getting to the Lincolnshire show ground early again as it’s a day of interviews versus watching the action. It’s all planned in advance, but of course nothing stays on course when so many bands are involved

I manage to see the last couple of songs from RXPTRS which is pronounced ‘Raptors’. Five men who are very hardcore metal and an early lunchtime slot is probably not the best suited for them. However, there are plenty awake enough to stand and take them in and they sound pretty good. Simon Roach is blessed with a blood curdling voice and having two guitars from Harley and Ian, they demonstrate what a talented bunch they are. The debut album ‘Living Without Deaths Permission’ drops on 24th June and the album launch is in their home town of Bristol at The Louisiana on the 25th.

SWEET TEAZE were created way back in Lincoln around 1989 and I probably witnessed them, when there was more hairspray, scarves and lycra. Of course main man organiser and entrepreneur Raz White is the founder of these Sleazers and as he picks up his Gibson Les Paul, the field erupts into cheering. Dean Foxx up front tears into the set, piling out songs that we love and can relate to. Especially ‘I’ve Had Enough’ where the singer reflects on a bad relationship from the past. Even more applause when young Leo White joins his dad on stage and shows us he can also play guitar as cool as f**k.

Raz has decided that after all these years, it’s time to end the Tease, so it was an honour to see them one last time. ‘Rock And Roll Queen’ will remain in our hearts.

It’s only my second encounter with the Worcestershire Cowboys, the BOOTYARD BANDITS and those green plastic Cacti on each side of the stage, didn’t last long. Both were thrown into the crowd, never to be seen again. ‘M.I.L.F’ and ’Shirt Potatoes’ are off the ‘Songs For The Saddle Sore’ album and you soon get the theme that’s going on here. Heavy country metal with unabashed lyrics that would make a saloon gal blush. With names like Two Puds, Big Mac and Bamm Bamm, the sense of fun is evident and us Cow People down the front, join in to ‘Let’s Rodeo’ with a few Yee Haws.

C.J Handsome commands from the front as they deliver ‘Hoedown Showdown’, it’s a wild and engaging show that’s full of humour, I do enjoy watching these.

It’s only 5pm as SHE BURNS RED descend onto the boards of the Southall Lawless stage. More from the West, but this time it’s West Lothian and bass player and vocalist, James McCulloch wears a kilt as usual, so there’s no mistaking which side of the border they’re from. We hear the new single ‘Rise And Fall’ which is a churning melody, full of samples from Naz Sanferlato on guitar and there are plenty of nodding heads, agreeing on his technique. The ‘Take Back Tomorrow’ EP from last year gave us ‘Tell Me How It Ends’ and there’s a surprise guest on vocals as Kickin Valentina’s, D K Revelle joins them. They have just completed four shows, as support to the Americans, so this is a decent gesture and shows how bonds are made on the road. A band that may still be under your radar, but do have a listen to the 4 track EP, it was produced by Toby Jepson (Little Angels, Wayward Sons) and is a damn good listen. More singles being released this year and a debut album in progress, go over to their WEBSITE to keep track.

ARCHIE AND THE ASTRONAUTS have been pointed out to me, so I take a wander over to the 3rd stage. Grabbing a ‘Dead Skull’ cappuccino, (who are sponsoring the Marquee), as I come in, as they are so moreish.

The local youngsters are a trio made up of Archy Tomás on vocals and guitar, Ian Fernandez on drums and bassist Nathan Snook. As they surge into ‘Abandon The Mission’ and ‘Tectonic’ the alternative, fresh and clear cut style becomes very appealing. Quite a few in here watching as well, as Archy has a charming personality that washes over us. More original songs follow including one that was only completed the night before! ‘Ritchie’ has turned up in a full astronaut suit and is dancing away, as he’s introduced by the singer. The first song they wrote together ‘Animal’ is played, love the low line bass on that. Then we have Chloe McGowan appear with them, for a cover of Rage Against The Machine’s ‘Killing In The Name Of’, the guitarist is only 16 but has been playing for over 2 years and was extremely confident up there. The new single ’Stone Cold Killer’ finished the set, a plucky number with a drifting rhythm. So cool seeing young musicians today.

Another band on the ‘Dead Skull’ stage were WICKED STONE who in fairness should have been appearing outside. Naturally, as the Kent based guys are popular, the tent is packed and we all watch in horror as Guitarist Joe Davies falls on stage only seconds into the set. He looks in so much pain, having landed awkwardly on his knee, but he soldiers on and only gets medical help afterwards. Joe Hawx sings with incredible strength, I, like many others in here, regard Wicked Stone as a top notch band. After ‘Ain’t No Rest’ the first new single ‘Say Goodbye To Yesterday’ is aired. Dynamic and laced with riffs that hold the backing vocals in place, this is brilliant stuff. ‘Hunted’ and ‘Unchained’ maintain the familiarity, before ‘Broken Heartbeat’ which is the second single off the forthcoming album ‘Synergy’. It’s another with pumping guitar and some rupturing bass from Jimmy Amos. Olly Smith on drums, does a grand job keeping the rhythm in tow, before more outstanding licks. It’s an engrossing set and I’ll be one of the first to grab the new album on the 17th June.

Good to see some bands from overseas and KICKIN VALENTINA are one of three on the top of the bill this evening. Currently promoting their album ‘The Revenge Of Rock’ with a massive tour, these are one of the most eagerly anticipated bands here at Call of the Wild.

Formed back in 2013, D K Revelle and Jimmy Berdine say the new record is the most diverse to date. Well, the set most definitely is, we get new songs and some like ‘Alone’ and ‘On My Side’ that stem from the early days. Have to love the continuity and slugging rock they offer, it’s true rock and roll with thumping chords and gravelly vocals. They describe themselves as loud and unapologetic, yep that’s them. With over 18k followers on Facebook, these 4 men have opened for the likes of Buckcherry, Queensryche and Skid Row, yet they remain down to earth and roam around the field, mingling with fans for hours.

CRASHDÏET have a new drummer for this tour, as long term sticks man Eric Young has decided to leave the band for health reasons. Joining the Swedes is ‘Lacu’, who you might have seen in Hanoi Rocks. I really like the new ‘Automaton’ album that came out in April, so when they open with ‘Together Whatever’ I’m singing along from the start. On a month long European tour, this is one band that excel in turning up the volume. Lead man Gabriel Keyes climbs up the stage support and sings from a precarious height, as we are delighted to hear ‘Down With The Dust’’, Reptile’ and ‘Riot In Everyone’. Michael Sweet on guitar and bassist Peter London are joined by their ex vocalist Olli Herman, who joins them for a singalong, which is a big crowd pleaser. The Sleaze Metallers go out with the popular ‘Queen Obscene’ and ‘Generation Wild’ and yes, that’s been a wonderful set.

Olli returns with his present band RECKLESS LOVE to headline tonight. The Finn’s have been looking elegantly cool in their pastel suits during interviews and media shoots throughout the day and as Olli stands before us in his, it is a sight to behold.

No doubt, the man is incredibly handsome and has the charisma up there to match. With a new album ’Turborider’ in hitting us in March, the opener is the title track and wow, it gets intensely magical all of a sudden. The intro is one that builds in stature from the band, before Olli adds the lyrics. An underlying and simple use of chords and plenty of mighty guitar, mix to create a really extraordinary start. ‘Eyes Of A Maniac’ is the second single off the album and is a little more subdued. Nordic melody at its best, we are swaying along and enjoying this. The song ‘Loaded’ features a marvellous solo by Pepe Reckless on his beautiful Kramer. While Jalle Verne on bass and drummer Hessu Maxx, keep the rhythm section in perfect accord. More from the new 5th album, the stupendous harmonies on ‘Outrun’ and the wizardry of Pepe for the cover of ‘Bark At The Moon’ really up the tempo. I don’t really agree that Reckless Love are Glam Rock, these days, as they are often still described. The heavier guitar and more diverse sounds, makes them a rock outfit with good looks. Take ‘Flight Of The Cobra’ for instance, that’s another with in-depth charm and I’m loving that guitar again. The pulsating ‘Animal Attraction’ and ‘Hot’ see them out and it’s been quite a show.

Gosh another awesome day and although it’s been tiring running between the press room and ground several times, I did find a seat to rest up for a while. Only one more day, that hasn’t sunk in yet, a lot of great performances already over these last 3 days and I’m enjoying the variety. So It’s another dash back to the hotel, for some much needed sleep. There will be a full round up after the final day 4 review.

#rockmediauk #rockmediaukreviews #rockmediaukinterviews #rockmediauklive #callofthewildfestival #lincolnshireshowground #livereview #festival #recklesslove #crashdïet #kickinvalentina #wickedstone #archyandtheastronauts #sheburnsred #bootyardbandits #sweetteaze #rxptrs